St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-05-12
A TRIP TO CALIFORNIA---NO. XXI.
Orchards and vineyards.-Placer Min
Etc.

Francisco, on the Osciiahu ii"0'
lev branches off the great Sacramento
plains, and runs up between some loot
hills and the coast range of mountains
a dozen miles or more. This valley
NAV be four or five miles wide in
places, but is generally not over mile
or two wide, and is called the Vaca
valley. Between these foothills and
the mountains l have been roaming
the past two days.
This little spot so insignificant on
the map, so dwarfed beside most OF
the valleys of California, is the place
this letter will first consider. To be-
gin with, its soil. The ages seem to
have washed down from the mountains
or up from the bay deposit OF the
choicest soil. 1t is not adobe, although
there are some streaks of that brick
making material, but rich loan from
five to thirty feet deep. No manure or
fertilizer has ever been used here nor
has ever been needed. The depth OF
the soil is known by the creeks which
have cut a channel through the valley
ten or fifteen feet deep and by the dig
cling of wells, water generally being
obtained within thirty OF forty feet OF
the surface.
Second, the climate. A dry, invig-
Grating atmosphere prevails. No fog,
seldom frost, never hurricane or vIO-
lent storm. There are no disturbances
of nature, or even sudden Or great
changes. The dweller here knows
that tomorrow will be as this day,
and if anything still more abundant.
On the low grounds there is some frost
every "winter," but in favorable local
tiles there is no freezing weather, and
at least one tomato vine in this valley
has lived five successive years and
borne fruit every year.
Third, health. In a paper read
before a medical association at San
Francisco the past week the statement
was made by the writer (whO by the
way is not from this Valley that the
Vaca valley is the healthiest section OF
this state; that there is actually no
disease induced by any condition OF
the soil or atmosphere-nOthing in the
shape of disease here except what peO-
pie bring with them or inherit.
Fourth, it's productions. The valley
is almost wholly given up to fruit-rais-
ing. Better and earlier matured fruit
is grown here than perhaps III any
other locality in the state. At first
blush the above sounds like strong
statement, but am convinced of its
main truthfulness and there is a good
reason for the fact. The remarkable
richness and depth of soil, a climate
free from fogs, dampness or cold winds,
give a flavor and sOlidity to fruit rails
ed here not found elsewhere. The
earliness of fruit ripening is doubtless
due to shelter afforded these orchards
in the narrow mountain egirt valley.
1t is the early bird that catches the
brings the highest price.
And now just few figures. Perhaps
a Caledonia county farmer might think
his income precariOus if he depended
for it on raising cherries alone, but last
year w. w. Smith of Vacaville sold
his cherry crop for thirty thousand
1all dol hoI
profit. | visited vineyard of forty
acres, thirty of which were in bearing,
from which the net returns for grapes
last year were four thousand dollars,
above all expenses. Another fruit farm,
bought a little over year ago for
500, 600, Melted the owner last season
six thousand dollars, and the man is
that he can pay for his place
in three years, as his trees and vines
are growing better every year. His
believe he will do it.
Some one will probably say these
cases are exceptional, and perhaps
they are. One popularity of this val
ley is noticeable. 1t does not seem to
make any difference whether the fruit
raiser gives his attention to growing
grapes, peaches, pears, apricOts, cher
ries, figs or almonds, or all of these
the result seems to be about the same,
heavy crops and a ready market. Most
ranches have a variety of fruit trees
and vines and all seem to do we'll
One would think that land with such
would command high |
price. 1t does. People of limited
means are already buying land which
up into the foothills and even
on the mountain side, and vines and
fruit-trees already dot the hillsides all
about the valley. This land is utiliz-
I'D because it is cheaper than the val
ley. UnimprOved land in the valley
Of first quality and near to railroad
station, is held at from 5000 to $3.50
an acre. That on which orchards and
vineyards are already set will bring
from $500 to 5000 an acre. Some of
the best fruit ranches in full bearing
ire estimated at 81 900 an acre. There
8 now a disposition to cut up ranches
ntO twenty acre lots, and these will
yell, according to improvement and
OcatiOn, at from 5000 to $500 an acre.
4 twenty acre farm all set to trees and
vines, keeps a man pretty busy and is
capable of affording fair income.
There must be something very re-
in the soil or climate, or
10Th, to produce orchards of such mar